Important Information:
Webs may be closing down their free websites soon.
The alternate/formal CMRRC website is active at:
cmrrc.net
Cowtown Model Railroad Club
Fort Worth, Texas
Home of the Gulf & Denver Railroad Authority HO-Scale Model Railroad
The Cowtown Model Railroad Club is located on the second floor of:
The Historic Handley Development Center
3024 Forest Avenue
Fort Worth, Texas
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Purpose:
The Cowtown Model Railroad Club, a 501(C)3 non-profit organization, is an club whose
purpose is to promote the hobby of model railroading to the public in an effort
to encourage future participation. The Club is committed to the sponsorship,
organization and ethical participation in events which promote the railroad
interests and activities shared by the members including the realistic
operation of the club's HO-scale model railroad layout.
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Membership & Documents
Membership shall be open to all persons interested in model railroading as defined by the CMRRC Bylaws. To maintain active membership, Club members must be current in dues and are expected to participant in the Club’s activities, such as the monthly meetings, layout work sessions, operating sessions, etc. Membership is limited to individuals who are the age of fourteen (14) years or older. A member under the age of eighteen (18) years must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Club information can be downloaded by clicking on the appropriate link:
Membership Form
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Our Layout
The Gulf & Denver Railroad Authority is a freelance standard gauge HO-scale railroad of the Cowtown Model Railroad Club. The layout room is approximately 50’ x 30’. The layout runs along the side and back walls with the exception of a 3-foot aisle on the side with the HVAC units. There is a center peninsula with backdrop dividing the sides and a large dog-bone section coming off the center peninsula. The layout structure wise is set in the transition era but clearances have been set for modern height cars. The layout has a walk around design using the Easy DCC (digital command and control). The track is mostly Atlas code 100 with Peco turnouts powered by Tortoise Switch machines laid on a Homasote or cork roadbed. Track work is 100% complete while the scenery and backdrops are 70% complete. Operating sessions are controlled by the RailOp computer-based software which generates switch list and engineer orders.
Meeting & Work Sessions
General Meeting
The general meeting of the membership is held the 3rd Monday night of each month beginning at 7:00 PM at the Handley Center (address above).
Normal Work Sessions
Thursdays at 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM reconstructing the layout.
Saturday work sessions are the 1st and 3rd Saturday morning of the month from 9:00 AM - noon.
Special Note: During hot Texas summers if the Thursday temperature is forecast to be above 95 degrees or
the heat index is forecast to be above 100 degrees by the proceeding Tuesday, the Thursday night work session will be cancelled, and we will meet that Wednesday morning at 9:00 am instead.
Operating Sessions
Operating session will be posted in the monthly newsletter and/or sent to the membership by e-mail.
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Newsletter
Each month the CMRRC publishes an informal newsletter for the membership and any other interested individuals. It contains club news as well as model railroading tips and hints, information on the upcoming monthly membership meeting and any other items that may be of interest to the membership. The issues can be requested by sending your e-mail the website with your e-mail address and ask for which issue you are requesting.
Webmaster - Dale Schmidtbleicher
All photos taken by Dale Schmidtbleicher